CARETAKER coach Martin Flynn paid tribute to the York Wasps players after their traumatic season thankfully drew to a close at Leigh Centurions.

Champions Leigh were easy 84-1 winners yesterday - the sixth time this season York have conceded more than 80 points - but Flynn had nothing but praise for the way in which the Wasps stuck to their task.

"Their spirit is brilliant. They realise they've been taken apart but the effort was never in doubt," said Academy coach Flynn, who was in charge of his second game following Lee Crooks' resignation.

"After what they've been through this season it's a credit to them that we've put a team out. There have been times this season when it looked like we wouldn't but there's a lot of spirit there and a lot of good will.

"All these guys hope to be around next season and that's been a big motivating factor."

While singling out the front row of Andy Hutchinson, Alan Pallister and Andy Precious as "tremendous", Flynn had no criticism of any of the team.

He said: "For 15 minutes in the first half and in the second half we've stopped them scoring and competed. But when we concede tries we tend to concede them in patches.

"Like Widnes like week, Leigh are a team that are looking to Super League and their fitness levels reflect that. Their support play was superb."

It was a party atmosphere at Hilton Park as 2,433 turned out to Cheer Leigh into the play-offs and see veteran prop Tim Street complete his final league match before retiring.

It ensured a sense of occasion to at least give the Wasps a memorable send off after a dreadful six months.

"We could have been playing in front of a couple of hundred people so from that point of view it's been a good finish.

"And once again the reception the players got at the end was justified. The players are aware that people have followed them all season and they wanted to do it for them as well. We talked about that at half-time," added Flynn, who will seek talks with the board about the possibility of taking on the coaching job permanently next season.

"I wouldn't mind a shot at it. I've enjoyed it. They've all made me feel part of it and listened to what I've had to say although there wasn't much I could do for two games."

York's long serving back rower Mick Ramsden admitted it was a relief to finally put the season behind them.

He said: "This game was a difficult game to play in. It was a case of just getting it over with and looking forward to next season."

And he was full of praise for Leigh who he hopes will go on and get a chance to play in Super League.

"They are the best team we've played this season. We've played against teams that have been worse than that and they've hammered us by more.

"We weren't in the same league as them. I'd like to see them win the Grand Final and go up because I think they'll do well in Super League."

Updated: 12:10 Monday, July 02, 2001